26°C

Beacon

Frankston City Public Art Seaford

Description

Description

Beacon by Matt Calvert from Tasmania

This sculptural glass tower and compass marker incorporates and celebrates the maritime history of Port Philip Bay. Beacon celebrates the connection of the sea and the land, acting as a marker of the way, a directional pointer in the landscape — a place marker.

The work is both a contemporary lighthouse and compass. The corten band and internal steel work that provides the structural support for the glass acts as the directional points of north, south, east and west.

Sculptor Matt Calvert states: “Numerous channel markers and beacons have stood in and around the fringes of Port Phillip Bay since early European settlement. Back in those days Frankston was more accessible by boat than track, and the sea was a major thoroughfare for traders, fishermen and early settlers.

Located on the Eel Race Road Underpass, Seaford

Unveiled by Frankston City Council Mayor Nathan Conroy, September 2022

Materials: Corten steel base and laminated glass

Dimensions: 8 metres high

About the Artist: 

The sculpture is 8 metres in height, made of corten steel at the base and completed by laminated plate glass.

This has become Matt’s signature material. It is a waste product from the building industry and would otherwise end up in landfill – giving this sculpture strong environmental credentials, as well as its intrinsic qualities of beauty, versatility and durability.

Matt graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Fine Art (first class honours) in 1993. He was awarded a Samstag Scholarship to Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he completed a Master of Art degree in 1994.

After residencies in Paris, Malaysia and Japan earlier in his career, Matt’s practice now focuses on small and large-scale public and private commissions that feature recycled, toughened glass, sometimes in conjunction with corten steel and aluminium.

Matt sources his glass from waste material, smashes it up in his studio in aptly-named Glaziers Bay in southern Tasmania, and reconfigures it using a cold fusion, flat mould lamination technique. A recurring theme in Matt’s work revolves around roadside tributes and memorials, referring to the loss of his father in a car accident when he (Matt) was only seven years old and featuring in the work selected for the 2014 McClelland Sculpture Survey, Dieback.

A regular finalist in major Australian sculpture awards over the past 15 years, he won the Montalto Sculpture Prize in 2015 for the work Pointing Girl. His work is held in public and private collections in Australia, Japan, Malaysia and the United States.

Beacon by artist Matt Calvert was commissioned by Frankston City Council.

Click here to read more about Matt's work

More Like This

sculptures
The BIG Chocolate Bar

The BIG Chocolate Bar

The Big Chocolate Bar @ Chocolate Grove Chocolate Grove chief chocolatier Will Muddyman and his dedicated band of chocolate makers have been busily working away on an amazing new BIG attraction to ad...
Figurative Abstraction

Figurative Abstraction

Public sculpture by Norton Flavel from WA. Artists interpretation: 'Figurative Abstraction is an exploration of the relationship between the person and objects. Located at Pines Forest Aquatic Centr...
Dreaming Poles

Dreaming Poles

Eight Dreaming Poles, created by Indigenous artists Aunty Di and Uncle Beamo, form part of the Dreaming Trail to replace the original poles which now lay in nearby garden beds as a decorative feature ...
Hermitage

Hermitage

One of the more curious tales of Frankston is that of the hermit, John Maddox, who lived for about 20 years in the ti-trees to the south of Seaford Road. He was reported to have been in charge of a ve...
Journey – Past, Present, Future

Journey – Past, Present, Future

Evelyn Park Sculptures by Antone Bruinsma. Artists interpretation: "Inspired by canoe forms, these sculptures symbolise humanity’s desire for travel, trade, sport and play. Movement is vital for...
Power of Community

Power of Community

Materials: Stone and ceramic A sculptor and a potter by trade, Deborah Halpern is one of Australia's most celebrated sculptors, known for her wildly colourful mosaic work.
Scale

Scale

Artist: Phin Murphy, Sinatra Murphy & Andrew Hogg Design © 2022 The artwork Scale melds the themes of water, movement, and marine heritage via the narrative of the epic migration of the Short-fin...
Sentinel

Sentinel

Public Sculpture by Bruce Armstrong from Melbourne Sentinel is a five metre tall abstract wooden sculpture of a native sea eagle. Materials: Wood  The Sentinel sculpture has recently been...
Catch Me

Catch Me

Materials: Bronze and granite Dimensions: 205 x 50 x 80cm Exhibited internationally for 50 years, including Bad Ragaz, Switzerland 2015 and Billund Art Association, Denmark 2014. Balnaves F...
Love Flower

Love Flower

The Love Flower sculpture has been installed at the Peninsula Link exit of Cranbourne Road. The sculpture, by artists John Meade and Emily Karanikolopoulos, has taken the place of ...

More Nearby

Beach Cafe

Beach Cafe

A great place to meet family or friends for a breakfast or light lunch with daily specials, scrumptious cakes and cookies and friendly attentive service. Bookings not required. 
Seaford Wetlands Reserve

Seaford Wetlands Reserve

The wetlands are well known for superb bird watching opportunities. There is a viewing platform near Austin Road and a good viewing point at the end of Mona Street. A viewing mound at Seaford North Pr...
Crackerjack Beachfront

Crackerjack Beachfront

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seasonally. Weddings, engagements, special occasions and corporate functions all take advantage of this amazing venue.
Biersal Brewery and Beerhall

Biersal Brewery and Beerhall

As a small local family-owned and operated craft brewery, Biersal Brewery and Beerhall specialise in small batch brewing. The brewery opened in October 2019. The 500L brewhouse and beer vessels are ea...
18-EightyEight

18-EightyEight

18-EightyEight are a family friendly Espresso Bar located only a hop skip and a jump away from Seaford Beach. They are proudly brewing Naked Espresso coffee beans, and they are ever strivin...
Yogaharta Yoga & Wellness Centre

Yogaharta Yoga & Wellness Centre

Our name – Yogaharta is inspired by a deepening of our connection to, and living from our Heart ~ The Heart Chakra is Anahata / Anaharta, and this is merged with the Heart and Yoga ~ to create Yogahar...
38 South Bar Cafe

38 South Bar Cafe

38 South is a cafe in the Seaford area of Melbourne area that aims to be your favorite stop for fresh food, delectable tapas, refreshing drinks and fine wine. This modern cafe is run by a local family...
Banks Brewing

Banks Brewing

Located in Seaford, Victoria. Banks Brewing focuses on small-batch hop-forward beers.  They began brewing out of their Seaford home in May 2016 and are a small team that have fun with everything...
Keast Park

Keast Park

Keast Park is a lovely beach reserve with ocean views. The pavilion incorporates the Carrum Bowling Club and Crackerjack Waterfront Cafe with magnificent facilities and a multi-purpose community room ...
Belvedere Charcoal Chicken

Belvedere Charcoal Chicken

Belvedere Charcoal Chicken has a wide range of salads and drinks to accompany your freshly cooked charcoal chicken and hot, golden and crunchy chips. The current owners have been running the venue fo...

Map & Directions